CPI Certification Practice Test 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Question: 1 / 400

Which of the following best describes the term "waste" in a lean environment?

Excessive use of raw materials

Any resource expenditure that does not add value to the customer

In a lean environment, the term "waste" is fundamentally defined as any resource expenditure that does not add value to the customer. This concept is central to lean principles, which emphasize maximizing value for customers while minimizing waste. Lean methodologies focus on identifying and eliminating non-value-added activities, thereby improving efficiency and ensuring that every step in a process contributes positively to the customer experience.

Excessive use of raw materials may be a form of waste, but it doesn't encompass the broader definition of waste in lean philosophy, which includes time, effort, and other resources as well. Similarly, employees’ idle time and under-utilization of technological resources are specific instances of waste that fall under the larger umbrella of non-value-adding activities. Thus, while the other choices illustrate specific examples or types of waste, the correct answer captures the essence of what "waste" means in a lean context.

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Employees’ idle time

Under-utilization of technological resources

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